Benefits / Definitions / How to Apply / Verification
Benefits
Certification is free of charge. There is no fee to apply or participate in the verification process.
Qualified applicants are entered in a supplier database accessed by participating utilities throughout the State.
Certification is usually granted within 45 days of receipt of a successful application, and is valid for three years.
Definitions
Qualified businesses are certified as women-owned, minority-owned or both as defined by General Order 156.
"Woman-owned" (section 1.3.2) is a business at least 51% owned by one or more women, and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women.
"Minority-owned" (section 1.3.3) is a business at least 51% owned by one or more minority individuals, and whose management and daily operations are controlled by one or more minority individuals. Recognized minorities include Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans, among others.
How to Apply
If you are interested in certification and believe your company qualifies as a women or minority-owned business, carefully read our General Information and Application, before submitting a complete, signed and notarized verification application with all required documents to the clearinghouse office. Reading the Supplier Clearinghouse FAQs will also be helpful.
Please note: Our program does not accept applications directly.
The clearinghouse also accepts women and/or minority business certification from agencies with comparable verification criteria.
If your current clearinghouse certification is expiring, submit a reverification application.
Firms seeking certification as a disabled veteran-owned must contact the Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Participation Program, a unit of the Department of General Services.
Verification
Upon receipt of a completed application package, the clearinghouse operator examines the material for evidence of ethnic and/or gender status, as well as company ownership, management and control. A site visit is sometimes necessary to make a conclusive determination. Qualified applicants are then certified. Certification is limited to United States citizens or legal aliens.